New Year’s Eve Fun for Little Learners

As the year comes to a close, New Year’s Eve is a wonderful opportunity for families to celebrate, reflect, and have a little extra fun with their children—without staying up until midnight! At Kinder-Garden Learning Center, we love sharing developmentally appropriate, joyful ideas that families can enjoy together at home while children learn through play and celebrate special moments. 🎉

Below are some of our favorite child-friendly New Year’s Eve games and activities that families can enjoy at home, perfect for infants through pre-K. Many of these are easy to set up, encourage movement and creativity, and help children feel excited about welcoming a brand-new year.

Countdown & Celebration Fun

🕛 Noon Year’s Eve Countdown

Who says the countdown has to be at midnight? We celebrate the New Year at 12:00 noon!

• Count down together as a group

• Celebrate with bubbles, streamers, or a mini dance party

• Perfect for young children and early learners

  
  

🎈 Balloon Countdown Pop

• Write numbers 1–10 on balloons

• Pop one balloon as you count down together

• Add a simple movement inside each balloon (jump, clap, spin)

  
  

🥁 Party Parade

• Children create simple instruments like shakers or drums

• Parade around your home to music

• Supports gross motor skills and rhythm awareness

Creative & Sensory Activities

✋ New Year’s Handprint Keepsake (FREE Printable!)

One of our favorite keepsakes! Children add their handprint to celebrate the New Year.

• This makes a meaningful keepsake for families to create and enjoy together

• Supports fine motor skills and creativity

👉 Download our FREE New Year’s Handprint PDF activity here:

2026_KGLC_Handprint.pdf

Download PDF • 383KB

🎆 Firework Painting

• Use toilet paper rolls or straws to stamp firework shapes

• Paint on dark paper for a festive effect

• Encourages creativity and sensory exploration

  
  

🧺 New Year Sensory Bin

Fill a bin with:

• Confetti or paper shreds

• Pom-poms

• Measuring cups and scoops

• Safe noisemakers

For infants: use larger, soft items with close supervision.

🎶 Music & Movement Games

❄️ Freeze Dance Party

• Dance to fun music

• Freeze when the music stops

• Add prompts like “Freeze like a snowman!”

  
  

🎲 New Year’s Action Dice

• Roll a large dice with actions such as:

  • Jump

  • Clap

  • Spin

  • Stomp

• Great for toddlers and preschoolers

  
  

🎯 Simple & Engaging Games

🎈 Balloon Keep-Up

• Children work together to keep balloons off the floor

• Builds teamwork and gross motor skills

  
  

🎯 Ring in the New Year Toss

• Toss rings or bean bags onto bottles or cones labeled with the new year

• Encourages hand-eye coordination

  
  

💛 Calm & Meaningful Activities

🗣 “I’m Excited About…” Circle Time

• Children share one thing they’re excited about for the new year

• For toddlers: use picture choices instead of verbal sharing

  
  

⭐ New Year’s Wish Wall

• Children draw or dictate a wish

• Display their wishes for all to enjoy

  
  

👶 Infant-Friendly New Year Activities

Even our youngest learners can join the celebration!

• Bubble play

• Soft music with scarves

• Sensory bottles with glitter

• Mirror play with festive New Year visuals

  
  

🎉 Make It Extra Special

• Pajama Party Day

• Glow Day (bracelets or glow sticks)

• Confetti Toss Photo Booth

  
  

Welcoming a New Year Together 💫

Celebrating the New Year in an age-appropriate, joyful way helps children build positive memories and excitement for what’s ahead. We love sharing these moments with our KGLC families and look forward to another year of growth, learning, and fun!

✨ From our Kinder-Garden Learning Center family to yours

—Happy New Year! ✨